Ark of the Covenant - Bible History Online
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Naves Topical Bible Dictionary

snow Summary and Overview

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snow in Easton's Bible Dictionary

Common in Israel in winter (Ps. 147:16). The snow on the tops of the Lebanon range is almost always within view throughout the whole year. The word is frequently used figuratively by the sacred writers (Job 24:19; Ps. 51:7; 68:14; Isa. 1:18). It is mentioned only once in the historical books (2 Sam. 23:20). It was "carried to Tyre, Sidon, and Damascus as a luxury, and labourers sweltering in the hot harvest-fields used it for the purpose of cooling the water which they drank (Prov. 25:13; Jer. 18:14). No doubt Herod Antipas, at his feasts in Tiberias, enjoyed also from this very source the modern luxury of ice-water."

snow in Smith's Bible Dictionary

This historical books of the Bible contain only two notices of snow actually falling -- #2Sa 23:20| 1Macc 13:22; but the allusions in the poetical books are so numerous that there can be no doubt as to its being an ordinary occurrence in the winter months. #Ps 147:16; 148:8| The snow lies deep in the ravines of the highest ridge of Lebanon until the summer is far advanced and indeed never wholly disappears; the summit of Hermon also perpetually glistens with frozen snow. From these sources probably the Jews obtained their supplies of ice for the purpose of cooling their beverages in summer. #Pr 25:13| The liability to snow must of course vary considerably in a country of such varying altitude as Israel. At Jerusalem snow often falls to the depth of a foot or more in january or February, but it seldom lies. At Nazareth it falls more frequently and deeply,a nd it has been observed to fall even in the maritime plain of Joppa and about Carmel.

snow in Schaff's Bible Dictionary

SNOW , vapor congealed in the air, and often falling in large, broad flakes resembling wool. 2 Sam 23:20; Ps 147:16. The allusions to snow in the sacred writings, especially to its whiteness, are frequent. Ex 4:6; Num 12:10; 2 Kgs 5:27; Ps 51:7; Isa 1:18. The comparison in Prov 25:13 has reference to the use of snow brought from the mountains to cool the drink of the reapers in the heat of harvest, as we use ice. Snow water is softer and more detergent than common water; hence the allusion in Job 9:30. Snow is found on Mount Lebanon, and it lies in the ravines of Hermon and other peaks throughout the year. Robinson states, "Snow often falls in Jerusalem in January and February to the depth of a foot or more, but does not usually lie long."- Bib. Res. I. 429.

snow in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

(See PALESTINE.) Climate, at the end.